Beginning in 1980 with one staff member and 300 volunteers, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival has grown and matured into one of the leading folk festivals in the world. Now boasting a volunteer force of over 2,000, the festival ins a not-for-profit society dedicated to bringing in the best of folk music from around the world.

The quality of the music and the depth of the performer lineup is the single greatest ingredient in the festival's success. Terry Wickham, the event's producer, selects artists within a broad musical mandate. His vision is to continue to improve as a world-class folk music festival. At the same time, the volunteers and staff work very hard to raise money through fund raising activities and through soliciting corporate sponsorships to keep ticket prices accessible for ordinary families.

A lot of great performers are lined up each year. Past festivals have included: Van Morrison, k.d. lang, The Head and the Heart, Of Monsters and Men, Ricky Skaggs, Feist, and Loreena McKennitt, among many more.

We figure it's best to send you straight to the festival site for the full schedule and lineup (find link below). The full festival line up is always announced the Wednesday prior to tickets going on sale – this year: June 1st,

Related Festivals

Enjoyed by thousands of people, K Days (formerly known as Capital Ex) is 10 days of fun. During the heart of summer, the grounds at Northlands are transformed into an arena of endless games, rides, entertainment, concerts, shopping, food and family activities. Thrill-seekers spin-out on the crazy rides and midway games, families get up and on their feet with daily children’s performances and the playful activities at Kids Town and The Farm.

The Works Art and Design Festival will send a current through downtown Edmonton and surrounding areas with 43 one-of-a-kind installations and exhibits, and over 250 special events, performances and opportunities to meet the minds behind the art.

It’s been too long but finally Edmonton welcomes back the airshow. The Villeneuve Airport, just a short drive north west of Edmonton, will host the Edmonton Airshow from Aug. 22 - 23. Much of the entertainment is in the air where pilots do manoeuvres that send chills up your spine.

Get ready to rock in Hawrelak Park this August during the Edmonton Rock Music Festival. The two-day event will feature rock legends, Dr. Hook, The Stampeders, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo and more. Enjoy the beer garden, food vendors, and merchandise tents along with the summery vibe.

Since 1989, Free Will Players have brought Shakespeare’s heart-stopping romances, chilling tragedies and side-splitting comedies to Hawrelak Park. As a staple of Edmonton's festival season, the FSF offers great summer nights, shelter from storms under the amphitheatre tent, and the magic of the Bard as it was meant to be seen: in Edmonton's beautiful river valley

Join the Edmonton Chamber Music Society for the 9th annual Summer Solstice Music Festival. Chinese erhu master George Gao, joins pianist Sara Davis Buechner, violinist Lara St. John, and a line-up of North America’s finest performers for an exciting weekend of concerts. Experience this year's innovative and diverse programs that explore folk traditions as well as music spanning the Baroque to modern day.

The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival August 17-27, 2017. Fringe Theatre Adventures (FTA) has donned their bell-bottoms, pulled up their tube socks and wistfully gone back to the era of record stores and jumpsuits. Get swept up in what it means to be fringed and confused with a ‘throwback’ to our early years.

Fall is definitely upon us. The snow is falling as fast as the leaves and kids are madly going about making costumes to wear under their winter coats. But before you say good-bye to the festival season, take a look at our last few perfect picks. Some are scary, some are educational and some are really weird.

Alberta’s capital city has some fun and unusual claims to fame. The diverse city is home to some of the sunniest Canadian weather, Canada’s youngest urban centre, and the world’s largest indoor triple loop roller coaster. It is also home to one of the biggest festival scenes in Canada.

In this age of convenience, food trucks are an on-the-go foodie’s dream. With everything from comfort food favourites to gourmet dishes served on skewers and in easily accessible wrapping, these mobile restaurants have been gaining momentum over the past decade.

Cars and rock ‘n roll go together like peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Which is why St. Albert’s Rock ‘N August car and music festival is a perfect partnership and a humongous hit year after incredible year.

In keeping with tradition, festival organizers have faithfully branded the event as the "Folk Fest" since its inception. But as the years roll on, and new and innovative acts make their mark on Edmonton, the definition of "folk" is getting wider all the time.

With 33 years of history, it's safe to say the Edmonton Folk Fest is a local institution. Taking place annually at Gallagher Hill, just south of the Saskatchewan River, this four day gathering has deservedly taken its place as one of the capital region's must-see attractions.

With years of experience under its belt, the Edmonton Folk Fest is steeped in tradition with a large fan base of regular concert goers that go year after year. This might be intimidating for the first time attendee, but have no fear ... FestivalSeekers is here to give you a few pointers that will make the weekend go by a little easier and turn you into a Folk Fest pro.

The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival is proud to present the successful Comedy Cares program. Proving that laughter has the power to heal, Festival cast members use their perse talents to bring smiles, chuckles and giggles to patients, family and staff in local hospitals and long-term care facilities during the festival and year round.

The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival was the first of its kind in North America. It is known worldwide for its amazing artists and generous audiences. Since 1984, almost four million people have played in the streets and shared a laugh with us at StreetFest. That's a lot of smiles and chuckles.

In 2009, The Works launched The Works Canadian Aboriginal Artist Program to highlight the artistic contributions that contemporary Aboriginal artists make to visual culture. Now in its third year, the program, supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, has showcased the work of established, emerging, and celebrated Aboriginal artists from across the country.